As a high school or college student, internships might not be on your radar, but for three 2023-24 national FFA officers, last summer was all about rolling up their sleeves, diving into new environments and discovering how much learning and growth can come from stepping outside the classroom.
After interning with their respective National FFA corporate partners, Grant Norfleet, Morgan Anderson and Emily Gossett came away with lessons they will carry far beyond one summer.
Grant Norfleet, Simmons Foods
Norfleet (pictured above) spent his summer as a learning and development intern with Simmons Foods. Some days he was prepping workshops; others he was on the production floor, talking with employees to improve leadership training. The variety pushed him to collaborate in new ways.
“Simmons gave me countless opportunities to strengthen my collaboration and teamwork skills,” Norfleet says. “None of my projects could have been completed alone.”
His advice for future interns is to “be authentic and let your curiosity show.”
“Companies aren’t just looking for a perfect resume — they want someone who is eager to learn, asks questions and connects with people.”
Morgan Anderson, RFD-TV
From script-writing and editorial meetings to anchoring and producing, every day looked different for Morgan Anderson as she received a crash course in broadcast journalism at RFD-TV. A longtime news enthusiast, she found the unpredictability both thrilling and demanding.
“Breaking news was both the most thrilling and most challenging part of the job,” Anderson says. “Sometimes it hit just two minutes before my show aired … I had to move fast.”
Her biggest takeaway? “Show eagerness to learn, even when it’s unfamiliar or hard,” she says. “There’s no growth in the comfort zone!”
Emily Gossett, Tractor Supply Co.
As a member of the public and investor relations team at Tractor Supply Co., Gossett led a project to design a system for LinkedIn content creation. Although the work was challenging, she says the culture made all the difference.
“No one expected me to be perfect; they just wanted me to be willing to learn and be invested,” she adds.
For those preparing for interviews, her advice is simple: Do your research, but don’t forget to share personal stories. “Be a storyteller,” she adds. “Let your experiences bring your answers to life.”
Room to Grow
After their year of service is complete, many past national officers go on to accomplish big things in their chosen fields. Read about 2022-23 National FFA Western Region Vice President Ryan Williamson’s summer spent at BASF, in his own words. You can also visit ForeverBlueNetwork.org to create an account and explore job and internship postings.
